The best way to explore historic Antwerp is to start at its heart - the Grote Markt, home to the famous Brabo Fountain. This impressive sculpture from 1887 depicts the Roman soldier Silvio Brabo, who, according to legend, defeated the Druon giant Antigonus. The story goes that the cruel giant collected heavy duties from ships passing through the Scalda River, and cut off the hand of those who refused to pay and threw it into the river. Brabo defeated the tyrant, cut off his hand and also threw it into the water - hence the origin of the city's name: 'hand werpen' (to throw one's hand), which over time evolved into 'Antwerpen'. The fountain is not only a beautiful architectural element, but above all a symbol of the identity of the city and its people.

Near the fountain rises the majestic Antwerp City Hall - a gem of Renaissance architecture from the 16th century. Built between 1561 and 1565 to a design by Cornelis Floris de Vriendt, this impressive building is one of the most important examples of the Dutch Renaissance style in all of Belgium. The facade of the town hall is decorated with the coats of arms and flags of the historic provinces of the Netherlands and the principalities with which Antwerp had trade relations. Inside, one can admire the magnificent representative halls, including the Wedding Hall and the Leeuwhof Hall, with beautiful wall paintings depicting scenes from the city's history. The City Hall has survived numerous turmoils of history, including a fire in 1576 during the so-called 'Spanish Fury,' when Spanish soldiers ransacked the city.

The dominant feature of Antwerp's skyline is undoubtedly the majestic St. Mary's Cathedral - the tallest Gothic building in the Benelux, reaching 123 meters in height. Its construction took as long as 169 years (1352-1521), making it a witness to many eras and historical changes. This seven-nave temple impresses not only with its monumental architecture, but also with the priceless works of art it hides inside. The most valuable are four paintings by the brush of Peter Paul Rubens - the most famous artist associated with Antwerp. 'The Raising of the Cross,' 'The Deposition from the Cross,' 'The Resurrection of Christ' and 'The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary' are masterpieces that attract art lovers from all over the world. The cathedral also boasts a 14th-century marble statue of the Madonna and 15th-century wall paintings that miraculously survived iconoclasm during the Reformation. Note the intricate stained glass windows, the oldest of which date back to the 16th century, as well as the richly decorated side altars and pulpit. Climbing the cathedral's tower, though challenging, rewards you with one of the most beautiful views of the entire city and the Scalda River.

Not far from the cathedral is a real gem for art history lovers - the Snijders&Rockoxhuis. This unique house-museum is housed in the former residence of Nicolaas Rockox, a 17th century mayor of Antwerp and patron of the arts and friend of Rubens. The building has been painstakingly restored to recreate the atmosphere of a wealthy Antwerp home from the Baroque era. The interiors are decorated with original furniture, tapestries, porcelain and an impressive collection of paintings by Flemish masters, including works by Frans Snyders, a specialist in still lifes. Of particular interest is the collector's cabinet with numismatic and rare books, and the garden decorated according to 17th-century patterns. This place allows you to travel back in time and experience what life was like for Antwerp's elite during its golden age.

Antwerp boasts unique museums that present various aspects of its rich history in a fascinating way. One of the most valuable is the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the only printing-related site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The museum is housed in the former home and printing house of Christophe Plantin and his son-in-law John Moretus, who created one of the most important publishing houses in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. This remarkable place allows you to travel back in time to an era when printing revolutionized the way knowledge was transmitted. Here you can see the oldest surviving printing presses in the world, a collection of more than 20,000 lead fonts, as well as priceless old prints and manuscripts, including the famous Polyglot Bible with text in five languages. Particularly valuable are the company's original account books, which provide fascinating information about the publishing business during the Renaissance. The museum's library contains more than 30,000 volumes, including rare first editions of scientific and literary works. As you tour room after room, you can learn about the entire process of book production - from type design, to typesetting, to printing and binding. The Plantin-Moretus family's private chambers have also been preserved, providing a glimpse into the daily life of the wealthy Antwerp bourgeoisie.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is another institution not to be missed by history buffs. After an extensive renovation, the museum has reopened its doors, displaying an impressive collection of artworks from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The works of the Flemish masters, including Rubens, van Dyck, Jordaens and Teniers, are particularly richly represented. A unique exhibit is 'Madonna Surrounded by Saints' by Jean Fouquet, one of the masterpieces of French painting of the 15th century. The museum is also famous for its collection of works by James Ensor, a Belgian Expressionist painter whose work bridges the gap between traditional painting and the avant-garde of the 20th century. The museum's building is a work of art in itself - its Neo-Renaissance architecture blends harmoniously with the modern design of the renovated interiors.

One of Antwerp's most innovative museums is MAS - Museum aan de Stroom (Museum on the River). This 60-meter-tall building with a distinctive red-sandstone facade opened in 2011 and has quickly become a new icon of the city. MAS tells the story of Antwerp's history as a port and a city of global connections. Ten floors feature exhibitions on the city's ties to the sea, international trade and the diverse communities that have shaped its character over the centuries. Of particular interest is an exhibition on the history of the Antwerp port - one of the largest in Europe, which has played a key role in international trade since the Middle Ages. The museum also preserves a collection of artifacts from around the world that came to Antwerp through trade contacts. A unique feature of the MAS is the rooftop observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the entire city and harbor. The spiral path leading to the top of the building is glazed, allowing you to enjoy the views as you ascend.

The Red Star Line Museum is a place that tells the lesser-known but vitally important story of Antwerp's history as the starting point for more than two million European emigrants who left here between 1873 and 1935 in search of a better life in America. The museum is housed in the original buildings of the Red Star Line shipping company, where emigrants underwent medical and formal checks before boarding transatlantic ships. The exhibition movingly presents the individual stories of the people who left Europe, their motivations, hopes and the difficulties they faced. You can see original travel documents, luggage, personal memorabilia and photos from the era. Especially touching are the letters written by the emigrants to their families left behind in Europe. The museum uses modern multimedia technology so that visitors can experience the emigrants' journey in an immersive way - from the decision to leave, to the difficult journey across the ocean, to the first steps in the New World.

Beyond the main tourist attractions, Antwerp hides many lesser-known but equally fascinating places that allow you to discover its history from a different perspective. One such treasure is the Sint-Annatunnel naar Linkeroever - a pedestrian tunnel under the River Scheldt, connecting the city center with its left bank. Built in the 1930s, the tunnel is not only a practical means of transportation, but also a unique engineering monument. Descent into the tunnel is via the original wooden escalators, which have been meticulously maintained since the tunnel opened in 1933. The tunnel itself is 572 meters long and is lined with distinctive white tiles. Walking through it is an extraordinary experience - halfway through you can feel that you are right under the current of the mighty river. After exiting on the left bank of the Scheldt, a magnificent view of the Antwerp skyline opens up with its distinctive towers of the cathedral and the MAS building. The tunnel is open 24 hours a day and is an excellent alternative to crowded bridges, and offers a unique perspective on the city that ordinary tourists will not experience.

The Middelheim Museum is a unique combination of art gallery and park, which was established in 1950 as a place to showcase contemporary sculpture. The museum occupies 30 hectares of green space in a former aristocratic estate on the outskirts of the city. The collection includes more than 400 sculptures by some of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including works by artists such as Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Ai Weiwei and Anish Kapoor. The sculptures are harmoniously integrated into the park's landscape, creating a dialogue between art and nature. Of particular interest is the 'Het Huis' (House) section, where more intimate or weather-sensitive works are presented. The Middelheim Museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions and art projects that enhance the permanent collection. A walk through the park allows you not only to admire the art, but also to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and learn about the history of the former suburban estates of Antwerp's elite.

It is also worth mentioning the lesser-known aspects of Antwerp's history that can be discovered during a stroll through the city. One of them is its diamond heritage - since the 16th century Antwerp has been a world center of diamond trading and processing. Although today most of the workshops have moved to India, historic diamond exchange buildings and grinding workshops can still be seen in the diamond district. Another fascinating thread is the history of Antwerp fashion - since the 1980s, the city has become known as the cradle of avant-garde designers, the so-called 'Antwerp Six.' Their legacy can be explored at MoMu - the Fashion Museum, which displays both historical clothes and contemporary creations.

Comparing the places described, each offers a different perspective on Antwerp's history. The Cathedral and City Hall represent the official, monumental side of the city, its power and wealth. Museums such as Plantin-Moretus and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts allow you to delve into the cultural and artistic heritage. The MAS and Red Star Line Museum, on the other hand, tell the story of the city's international connections and the fate of ordinary people. Families with children will probably find the Middelheim Museum, with its free-roaming space, and the Sint-Annatunnel, which can be an exciting adventure, most appealing. Art lovers will appreciate the richness of the Royal Museum's collection, and history enthusiasts will find paradise at the Plantin-Moretus Museum.

In terms of accessibility, most of the sites described are located in the city center and can be visited on foot in a day or two. The exception is the Middelheim Museum, located on the outskirts. Ticket prices range from inexpensive (Sint-Annatunnel is free) to average for the larger museums. Many places offer discounts for families and young people, as well as combination tickets that allow you to save when visiting several attractions. It's also worth checking to see if one of the many cultural events that regularly enliven Antwerp's historic spaces is taking place during our visit, adding a contemporary context to the centuries-old heritage of this fascinating city.